Xbox game cancellations of Everwild and Perfect Dark mark a significant turning point, signifying shifts in development strategic decisions.
In a surprising turn of events, Xbox has announced the cancellation of Everwild, a highly anticipated open-world adventure game developed by Rare, the studio behind 2018's Sea of Thieves. This decision, part of Microsoft's plans for 9,000 job cuts, will hit the Xbox division hard.
Everwild, first unveiled in November 2019, was known for its wholesome-looking theme and enigmatic art style, reminiscent of the acclaimed anime film Princess Mononoke. The game's cancellation is a significant event, suggesting a potential shift or change in Xbox as we knew it.
Phil Spencer, Microsoft Gaming CEO, had previously expressed excitement about Everwild, but in a recent announcement, he outlined a plan to focus on strategic growth areas, which includes ending or decreasing work in certain areas of the business. This move could indicate a shift towards Xbox relying more on third-party games and becoming a third-party publisher, although Microsoft has not confirmed this.
Despite the cancellation of Everwild and other projects, Xbox's game development strategy remains robust and forward-looking. The company is actively developing over 40 projects, as reported in the 2025 Xbox Showcase, indicating a strong commitment to expanding its game portfolio.
Several major titles and franchises are in active development or nearing release, including the highly anticipated Outer Worlds 2, State of Decay 3, Fable, Perfect Dark, and Contraband. Xbox is focusing on a mix of new IPs and established franchises to maintain a diverse and compelling lineup.
In addition to new games, Xbox is also optimising and re-releasing classics like Gears of War: Reloaded, scheduled for August 26, 2025, with enhancements such as 4K textures, 60 FPS campaign, and cross-play across multiple platforms including Xbox Series X|S, PC, Steam, and even PlayStation 5. This demonstrates a broad, platform-inclusive approach.
Xbox is also investing in seamless gaming experiences with initiatives like Xbox Play Anywhere, which now supports over 1,000 games and allows progress and achievements to transfer across devices at no extra cost, enhancing player engagement and accessibility.
The cancellation of Everwild, along with the Perfect Dark reboot and the shutdown of The Initiative, may result in the waste of some great IPs. However, Xbox's current development plans emphasise a large slate of diverse projects, remasters of flagship series, and improved player experience through cross-platform integration and expanded game libraries. This strategy reflects confidence in delivering a wide variety of high-quality games to their audience in the near future.
In a more positive development, Microsoft is collaborating with AMD to co-engineer silicon for next-generation Xbox consoles. The company is also reportedly working on a new handheld device, the ROG Asus Ally, with Asus. These collaborations suggest that the next Xbox may support Steam and potentially offer more third-party Xbox devices.
In conclusion, while the cancellation of Everwild is a blow to fans, Xbox's current development plans indicate a focus on delivering a wide variety of high-quality games across multiple platforms. The company's strategy reflects a commitment to expanding its game portfolio, optimising classic titles, and improving player experiences through cross-platform integration and seamless gaming experiences.
- The cancelled game Everwild, unveiled in November 2019, showcased an enigmatic art style that drew comparisons to Princess Mononoke, hinting at a creative UI design.
- Microsoft's Xbox division is actively working on over 40 projects, as reported in the 2025 Xbox Showcase, which includes the development of the 3D-based Outer Worlds 2, suggesting a focus on advanced layout and graphics.
- As Xbox aims to become a third-party publisher, the design of potential poster art for their games could become more essential, showcasing a blend of familiar logos and new, innovative elements.
- The cancellation of Everwild opens up opportunities for other creative endeavors, such as the development of a new animation series or an art exhibition based on the game's concept and design.
- To further enhance player experiences, Xbox is investing in initiatives like Xbox Play Anywhere, aiming to improve the artistic presentation and overall user interface of their games across multiple platforms, bridging the gap between entertainment and art.
